News27 Aug 2008


Meeting their heroes in Zürich - ÅF Golden League

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David Oliver wins the second 110m hurdles semi final (© Getty Images)

The famous Letzigrund Stadium in Zürich played host to the yearly kids’ clinic named “Jugend trainiert mit Weltklasse” which is traditionally staged two days before the Weltklasse Zürich, which in 2008 is the penultimate meeting of the ÅF Golden League.

This Kids’ athletics type event is a very important feature in a series of initiatives via which the Weltklasse organisers aim to promote athletics among children.

World-class athletes took part in this clinic helping teach children the basic athletics skills like sprinting, starting from the blocks, vaulting and throwing the vortex, a small implement similar to the javelin used by children.

Olympic medallists from Beijing and an array of other World stars who will compete in the Welklasse Zürich attended the clinic held on a sunny and warm afternoon today (27).

The list of athletes who took part in this year’s “Jugend trainiert mit Weltklasse” reads like a who’s who of world-class athletics: David Oliver, Dawn Harper, Susanna Kallur, Jennifer Stuczynski, Fabiana Murer, Janeth Jepkosgei, Maria Mutola, Lawryn Williams, Bershawn Jackson and Kerron Clement to name just a few of them.

“Kids are the main fans of our sport,” said David Oliver, Olympic bronze medallist in the men’s 110 metres hurdles and second fastest hurdler in the world (12.95). “This clinic is very important to give something back to the children. Zürich is very special. It’s the best meeting in the world and I am looking forward to competing here.”

Many of the children taking part in this special afternoon will be lucky enough to sit in the Letzigrund Stadium on Friday evening (29) dreaming of following in the footsteps of their favourite athletics stars.

Diego Sampaolo for the IAAF

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